2 Wanted For Drug Deal, Leading Police On Chase

Mt. Airy, NC -- Police are still looking for two suspects after the men attempted a drug deal and then led officers on a chase Friday evening.

Officers responded to the scene of the initial transaction around 6:45 p.m. Police say they tried to stop the vehicle and arrest the people inside, but the driver sped toward the officers, putting them in danger.

Police fired shots into the car, and the suspects drove away from the scene. Several other officers responded to the incident, and the suspects led them on a short chase.

The suspects eventually got away, but police say a woman later arrived at Northern Hospital suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Investigators determined that she was in the suspects' car.

Through further investigation, police identified the driver as 51-year-old Joseph Harold Ezekiel and the passenger as Derrick Ray Simmons, 25.

Warrants have been issued for both of their arrests.

Ezekiel faces charges of conspiracy to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a drug vehicle, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and felony speed to elude arrest.

Pending charges against Simmons include the sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance and conspiracy to sell and deliver a schedule II controlled substance.

Police say the men were in a 2010 Dodge Challenger with the license plate CDB-2463.

Mt. Airy police and the State Bureau of Investigation are looking into this case.

The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in these situations.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Mt. Airy Police Department at 336-786-3535.